Dear Steve and Shirley,
I’ve been married for six years. On Labor Day, my husband had a motorcycle accident and hasn’t been able to work since then. He’s a barber who made great money, but he’s not able to fully use his right arm right now. He’s currently in rehab and getting better, but we’ve been running through our savings, and I’ve been very stressed out.
My brother-in-law came to town to check on us. He gave me money to get my hair done and to hang out with my girls for a while, which was very sweet. However, my husband didn’t like it one bit. He told me to stay away from his brother because he’s “sneaky.” The brother slept on our couch for two nights and was never inappropriate with me.
Before he left, my brother-in-law said he would send me some money so I wouldn’t have to “look like what I’m going through.” I didn’t think he was serious, but a week later, he called saying he was coming back to town to help me out financially, and he asked me not to mention it to my husband. When we met at a new restaurant, he told me to gather all our bills so he could cover them for three months. Then he showed me a box of condoms in his coat pocket, saying they were for us. He propositioned me for sex in exchange for paying our bills.
It felt like good battling evil because, in truth, I’ve wanted this man since I first met him. I decided to take him up on his offer so we could get out of debt. I figured no one would know, but my conscience is eating at me, and I’m conflicted because the sex is so good. I love my husband, and thank God he doesn’t suspect a thing. Is this too risky, or should I keep it up until the bills are paid?